Care and Safety

Safe lunches start with proper care.

At OmieLife, the health and safety of your family are our top priorities. Our products are designed to make packing and enjoying meals easier, but proper use, food handling, cleaning, and adult supervision are essential.

Please read these guidelines carefully before using your OmieLife products, and follow the instructions provided with your specific product.

IMPORTANT SAFETY WARNINGS

• NEVER FORCE OPEN A STUCK THERMOS. Pressure may build inside a sealed container, potentially causing the lid, hot contents, or steam to release suddenly and cause serious injury.

• ALWAYS FOLLOW SAFE FOOD-HANDLING PRACTICES. Insulated containers and cooling packs do not guarantee that food will remain at a safe temperature.

• HOT FOOD CAN CAUSE BURNS. Adults should prepare hot meals and ensure that food is at an appropriate temperature before children eat.

• INSPECT PRODUCTS REGULARLY. Stop using any product with damaged, cracked, deteriorated, or improperly functioning components.

• CLEAN AND DRY THOROUGHLY. Remove and clean food-contact seals after each use to help prevent food residue, bacteria, and mold buildup.

• DO NOT POKE  PRESSURE VALVE. Newer thermos lids have a pressure relief valve included. You will see it on the bottom of the lid and side of the lid. Do not tamper with or attempt to remove this valve! Removing this valve will cause leaking and potential for burn hazards!

1. Food Safety: Keeping Meals Safe

Proper food handling is essential when packing lunches, particularly those containing meat, poultry, seafood, eggs, dairy, cooked rice, pasta, or other perishable foods.

The USDA identifies temperatures between 40°F (4°C) and 140°F (60°C) as the food-safety "Danger Zone," in which harmful bacteria can multiply rapidly.

To reduce the risk of foodborne illness:

• Keep cold perishable foods at or below 40°F (4°C).

• Keep hot perishable foods at or above 140°F (60°C).

• Do not leave perishable foods in the Danger Zone between 40°F (4°C) and 140°F (60°C)  for more than 2 hours in total, or 1 hour when exposed to temperatures above 90°F (32°C).

• Use a food thermometer to verify temperatures. Food that feels warm or cool to the touch may not be at a safe temperature.

• Do not rely on the appearance, smell, or taste of food to determine whether it is safe.

Important: OmieLife lunchboxes, insulated thermoses, and cooling accessories can help manage food temperature, but they do not independently refrigerate or actively heat food.

Their performance varies according to starting food temperature, food type, quantity, ambient conditions, preparation, and time before consumption.

OmieLife does not guarantee that perishable food will remain within food-safe temperature ranges for a particular number of hours.

Parents and caregivers are responsible for following safe food-handling practices and selecting appropriate storage methods for each meal.

If you cannot maintain safe temperatures until the food will be eaten, use an alternative method, such as refrigeration or appropriate cold storage followed by reheating in a suitable container immediately before serving.

2. Packing Hot Foods Safely

OmieBox and OmieBox UP include insulated stainless steel thermoses designed to help retain food temperature.

These thermoses are intended for foods such as soup, pasta, rice dishes, and other prepared meals, subject to appropriate food-safety practices.

Before Packing

1. Wash your hands and use clean utensils and food-preparation surfaces.

2. Prepare and cook food according to applicable food-safety recommendations.

3. If reheating leftovers, heat them thoroughly to at least 165°F (74°C), as measured with a food thermometer.

4. An adult may preheat the thermos by carefully filling it with hot water from a kettle, leaving the lid off for five to ten minutes, and then carefully pouring out the water.

5. Carefully transfer the prepared food into the thermos.

6. Do not fill above the ridge located below the thermos neck.

7. Make sure the gasket is clean, properly seated, and undamaged.

8. Close the lid securely without excessive tightening.

Hot water and hot food can cause serious burns. Preheating and filling a thermos should be performed by an adult, away from children.

Never place the thermos itself on a stove, in an oven, in a microwave, or in boiling water.

Important Temperature Considerations

Preheating a thermos helps reduce initial heat loss but does not guarantee that food will remain at a safe temperature until lunchtime.

A meal may remain warm to the touch while falling below the temperature required for safe hot holding.

When using a new food or packing routine, use a food thermometer to evaluate temperatures at the intended eating time. If safe temperatures cannot be maintained for the required period, do not rely on the thermos alone to store that perishable meal.

Before Eating

Hot food can remain hot enough to burn the mouth or skin, even when the outside of the thermos feels cool.

An adult should open the thermos and verify that the food is at an appropriate serving temperature for the child.

Hot foods being served should be allowed to cool to a safe eating temperature immediately before consumption, with adult supervision where appropriate.

Never allow a child to force open a thermos or eat food that may be dangerously hot.

3. Thermos Pressure & Stuck Lids: Important Safety Warning

WARNING: RISK OF SUDDEN PRESSURE RELEASE, SCALDING, AND INJURY

Under certain circumstances, pressure may develop inside a sealed thermos.

This may occur in connection with temperature changes, hot contents, gas-producing foods, food spoilage, or other conditions.

A tightly sealed thermos may also become difficult to open for reasons that cannot be safely determined from the outside.

Never assume that a stuck thermos is safe to force open.

Sudden release of pressure may cause the lid, hot food, liquid, or steam to discharge unexpectedly and cause injury.

If Your Thermos Lid Is Stuck or Difficult to Open

DO NOT:

• Force, twist aggressively, or pry open the lid.

• Use pliers, wrenches, knives, or other tools to loosen it.

• Strike, puncture, squeeze, or intentionally damage the container.

• Heat the thermos, place it in boiling water, microwave it, or use external heat to loosen the lid.

• Freeze the thermos or expose it to sudden temperature changes in an attempt to release pressure.

• Point the lid or opening toward yourself, another person, or a pet.

• Allow a child to attempt to open the thermos.

WHAT TO DO INSTEAD:

1. Stop using the thermos immediately.

2. Keep it away from children and pets.

3. Do not attempt to release pressure yourself.

4. Contact OmieLife at info@omielife.com for assistance and replacement instructions.

5. Do not attempt to reopen or reuse the affected thermos unless OmieLife provides appropriate safety instructions.

A thermos with a stuck lid should not be mailed or transported for return without first receiving appropriate safety instructions.

Special Warning: Spoiled Food and Gas Buildup

Food left inside a sealed container for extended periods can spoil. Certain spoilage or fermentation processes may generate gas and increase internal pressure.

Never store carbonated beverages, fermenting foods or drinks, or dry ice inside an OmieBox thermos or OmieBox UP thermos.

If a thermos has been left with food inside for an extended period, appears swollen, is leaking unexpectedly, makes hissing sounds, or shows other signs of pressure buildup:

• Do not attempt to open it.

• Do not taste or consume the contents.

• Keep the container away from children and others.

• Contact OmieLife for appropriate next steps.

If there appears to be an immediate risk of injury, keep others away and seek appropriate local safety assistance.

IMPORTANT: Do not interpret the maximum food-storage duration stated in product instructions as a guarantee of food safety. Perishable food may become unsafe much sooner if proper temperatures are not maintained.

Normal Thermos Opening

When a thermos is functioning normally, use care when opening it, especially if it contains hot food.

Keep the opening pointed away from the face and body and be alert for escaping steam or hot contents.

If the lid does not open with normal effort, stop immediately. Do not attempt additional force.

4. Packing Cold Foods Safely

Many common lunch foods require refrigeration, including yogurt, cheese, milk, deli meat, cooked chicken, eggs, and certain prepared foods.

To help keep cold foods at safe temperatures:

• Refrigerate perishable ingredients before packing.

• Pack refrigerated foods directly from the refrigerator.

• Use a properly insulated lunch bag or another suitable cold-storage system.

• Use adequate frozen cooling sources.

• Keep lunch containers out of direct sunlight, hot vehicles, and other warm environments.

• Refrigerate the lunch promptly if refrigeration is available.

• Verify temperatures with a food thermometer when determining whether your packing method maintains food safety.

The USDA recommends using at least two appropriately sized cold sources when packing perishable foods in an insulated lunch bag.

A single cooling pack may not provide sufficient refrigeration under all conditions.

Using OmieBox UP Cooling Packs

OmieBox UP includes a removable cooling pack designed to help keep cold foods cooler.

Freeze the designated cooling pack according to its product instructions before use.

Inspect the cooling pack regularly and discontinue use if it is cracked, punctured, leaking, or damaged.

Do not assume that the included cooling pack alone will maintain food at or below 40°F (4°C) until lunchtime.

Additional cold sources or refrigeration may be necessary.

Using OmieBox Lite Cooling Packs

OmieBox Lite includes a removable cooling pack positioned beneath its inner tray.

To prepare the pack:

1. Remove the cooling pack from the lunchbox.

2. Place it flat in the freezer for at least eight hours before use.

3. Reinstall it beneath the properly seated inner tray.

4. Use the lunchbox with appropriately chilled foods.

Never puncture, cut, bite, or chew the cooling pack.

Do not fold or unfold the pack while frozen.

If the cooling pack is damaged or leaking, discontinue use and discard it according to applicable disposal instructions.

If the contents contact skin or eyes, rinse thoroughly with water. If swallowed, contact Poison Control or seek medical attention immediately.

A cooling pack does not guarantee that perishable food will remain safe to eat throughout the school day.

5. Cleaning and Preventing Mold

Proper cleaning is essential to maintaining your OmieLife products.

Food particles, moisture, and residue can accumulate in seals, gaskets, lids, and other components.

Daily Cleaning

After each use:

1. Empty the product promptly.

2. Disassemble removable food-contact components according to the applicable instructions.

3. Remove accessible silicone lid seals and thermos gaskets.

4. Wash the appropriate components thoroughly with warm water and mild dish soap.

5. Rinse thoroughly to remove soap and food residue.

6. Allow all parts to dry completely before reassembly or storage.

7. Reassemble seals carefully, ensuring they sit evenly in their designated grooves.

Never store a lunchbox closed while its components are still damp. Also please never store a lunchbox with the seal installed. We recommend  putting it into the big compartment for storage, then putting it back in the groove when it's time to use it again.

Silicone Seals and Gaskets

For OmieBox, OmieBox UP, and OmieBox Lite, removable food-contact seals should be cleaned after each use.

Pay particular attention to crevices, corners, and areas beneath the seals where moisture or food residue may accumulate.

If a seal develops visible mold, persistent contamination, damage, cracking, or deterioration, discontinue using the affected component and replace it.

Do not attempt to conceal mold or damage through fragrances, chemicals, or improvised cleaning methods.

If mold or contamination is present in other areas that cannot be thoroughly cleaned, discontinue use and contact OmieLife.

Replacement seals and other compatible spare parts are available through OmieLife.com.

6. Product-Specific Care Instructions

Different OmieLife products have different cleaning, heating, and storage requirements.

Do not assume that a care instruction for one OmieLife product applies to another.

OmieBox

• Wash all components before first use and after each use.

• Always hand wash the thermos, thermos lid, and securing insert.

• Remove and clean the silicone lid seal and thermos gasket after every use.

• Do not microwave any part of OmieBox.

• Do not place OmieBox or its thermos in an oven or on a stovetop.

• Do not boil the thermos.

• Do not freeze the entire lunchbox or thermos.

• Dry all components thoroughly before storage.

• Do not store with the seal installed, the seal should be stored inside one of the compartments.

OmieBox UP

• Wash all components before first use and after each use.

• Always hand wash the thermos, thermos lid, and securing insert.

• Remove and clean the silicone lid seal and thermos gasket after every use.

• Never place the cooling pack in the dishwasher or microwave.

• Other components may be dishwasher-safe as specified in their product instructions.

• Do not microwave any part of OmieBox UP.

• Do not place OmieBox UP or its thermos in an oven or on a stovetop.

• Do not boil the thermos.

• Freeze only the designated removable cooling pack in accordance with its instructions.

• Dry all components thoroughly before storage.

• Do not store with the seal installed, the seal should be stored inside one of the compartments.

OmieBox Lite

• Wash all components before first use and after each use.

• The removable inner tray is top-rack dishwasher-safe.

• Hand wash the other components, including the silicone lid seal, Treasure Pocket lid, and strap.

• Never place the cooling pack in a dishwasher or microwave.

• Do not microwave any part of OmieBox Lite.

• Do not place OmieBox Lite in an oven or on a stovetop.

• Do not use very hot foods or hot liquids.

• Clean and dry the removable silicone seal after every use.

• Freeze the removable cooling pack flat for at least eight hours before use.

• Never fold, puncture, or allow children to chew the cooling pack.

• Dry all components thoroughly before storage.

• Do not store with the seal installed, the seal should be stored inside one of the compartments.

OmieGO

• Wash all components before first use and after each use.

• OmieGO is dishwasher-safe, microwave-safe, and freezer-safe as described in its product instructions.

• Never microwave a tightly sealed container.

• Use care when heating food, as hot food, steam, and containers can cause burns.

• Remove and wash the silicone lid seal after each use.

• Dry all components thoroughly before storage.

Other OmieLife Products and Accessories

Our plates, snack containers, dip containers, bottles, cooling pouches, utensils, and accessories have different material properties and care requirements.

For example, certain silicone accessories may be microwave-safe while other OmieLife products are not.

Always consult the individual product instructions before placing an item in a microwave, dishwasher, freezer, or oven.

Never heat a container while tightly sealed.

Do not microwave metal components or cooling packs.

If you are unsure whether a product is suitable for a particular use, contact OmieLife before proceeding.

7. Leak Prevention and Proper Assembly

Correct assembly helps prevent leaks and keeps components functioning as intended.

Before each use:

• Confirm that removable silicone seals are installed correctly.

• Check for twisting, gaps, tears, or visible damage.

• Make sure all removable trays and inserts are seated securely.

• Ensure that lids and latches close properly.

• Do not overfill compartments or force the lid closed.

OmieBox and OmieBox UP

Certain compartments are designed to resist leakage from small quantities of liquid, subject to proper assembly and use.

Individual divided sections, divided by the movable divider, are not necessarily leakproof from one another.

Foods containing substantial amounts of liquid, such as soups or broths, should be placed in the appropriate thermos, subject to applicable food-safety requirements.

Do not fill the thermos past the ridge below its neck.

Do not overtighten the thermos lid.

OmieBox Lite

OmieBox Lite is designed primarily for dry or slightly moist foods.

Its compartments can accommodate only small amounts of liquid, generally up to one teaspoon (5 mL), as described in its product instructions.

Do not use OmieBox Lite for soups, hot beverages, or large quantities of liquid.

If You Notice a Leak

Stop using the affected compartment if the leak cannot be resolved through normal cleaning and proper assembly.

Inspect the seal and other components for damage.

If a seal is missing, stretched, cracked, or no longer fits correctly, replace it before further use.

Do not use adhesives, sealants, or unauthorized modifications to repair food-contact surfaces.

8. Safety Around Children

OmieLife products are intended to be used in accordance with the age recommendations and instructions for each specific product.

Parents and caregivers should determine whether a child can safely open, close, carry, and use the product.

Important Safety Precautions

• Supervise young children during mealtimes as appropriate for their age and abilities.

• Have an adult prepare and handle hot foods.

• Confirm that food is at a safe serving temperature before consumption.

• Never allow children to force open a stuck thermos.

• Teach children to ask an adult for help if a lid, latch, or component becomes difficult to operate.

• Do not allow children to chew seals, straps, gaskets, cooling packs, or other components.

• Keep small detachable parts away from children who may put them in their mouths.

• Do not allow children to run or play while carrying lunchboxes or utensils.

• Never allow a child to place a detachable seal, strap, or other component around their neck.

• Remove and safely dispose of packaging materials before use.

Parents should ensure that children and other caregivers understand any product-specific warnings.

For school use, we encourage parents to communicate relevant instructions to teachers or other supervising adults, especially when sending hot foods.

9. Inspecting Your Product for Damage

Inspect your OmieLife products regularly, particularly after drops, impacts, prolonged use, or unusual operating problems.

Discontinue use if you notice:

• Cracks or breaks in food-contact surfaces.

• Broken, loose, or damaged handles, hinges, or latches.

• Damaged, missing, or deteriorating seals or gaskets.

• Sharp edges or exposed damaged components.

• Unexpected leakage.

• Mold or contamination that cannot be thoroughly removed.

• Bulging, deformation, or unusual pressure-related behavior.

• Damage to cooling packs or their outer coverings.

• Unusual heating of the exterior of an insulated thermos that may indicate compromised insulation.

• Any other condition that may make the product unsafe.

Do not attempt to repair a damaged thermos, alter a pressure-sensitive component, or modify the original product design.

If you suspect that a product is defective or unsafe, stop using it and contact OmieLife.

10. Food Storage, Leftovers, and Daily Use

OmieLife products are intended for everyday food transport and mealtime use, subject to each product's care instructions.

They should not be treated as a substitute for appropriate refrigeration, freezing, heating, or other food-safety controls.

To reduce the risk of foodborne illness:

• Prepare meals using clean hands, utensils, and surfaces.

• Follow food-specific safe cooking and storage instructions.

• Keep perishable foods refrigerated until packing.

• Maintain proper food temperatures during transport and storage.

• Empty and clean lunchboxes promptly after use.

• Discard perishable food that has exceeded safe time and temperature limits.

• Do not save unrefrigerated perishable lunch leftovers for later consumption.

• Never taste food to determine whether it is safe.

If food has been forgotten inside a thermos for an extended period or you suspect spoilage or pressure buildup, do not force the container open. Follow the pressure-safety instructions in Section 3.

An insulated container may retain food temperature without maintaining food safety. Always prioritize safe food handling over perceived warmth or freshness.

11. Product Instructions, FAQs, and Customer Support

For detailed instructions about your specific OmieLife product, please visit:

• OmieBox FAQ

• OmieBox UP FAQ

• OmieBox Lite FAQ

• OmieGO FAQ

• Warranty Policy

For additional information on safe food handling, visit the U.S. Department of Agriculture or the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

Questions or Safety Concerns?

If you have a question about caring for your product, identifying a damaged component, replacing a seal, or reporting a potential safety concern, please contact:

OmieLife Customer Care

Email: info@omielife.com

Website: www.omielife.com

For reports involving a stuck thermos lid, please include "Thermos Safety Concern" in the subject line.

Do not attempt to open or ship a potentially pressurized thermos while awaiting instructions.

Our Commitment to Your Family

At OmieLife, we care deeply about the families who use our products.

We're committed to providing clear product instructions, communicating important safety information, and continuously improving our products based on customer experiences and feedback.

Thank you for helping us make mealtimes safer, easier, and more enjoyable.

OmieLife, Inc.

This page provides general product-care and safety guidance. Always follow the specific instructions supplied with your product and applicable food-safety recommendations. If the instructions appear inconsistent, contact OmieLife before using the product in question.